World expos are famous for showing off fresh, exciting ideas about the future, and Osaka Expo 2025 is no exception. Among flying concepts and smart cities, one exhibit has captured people’s attention in a very human way: bathing.
The Future Human Washing Machine sounds like something out of a cartoon or sci-fi movie, but it’s very real. It also reveals a great deal about how Japan envisions health, comfort, and daily life in the years ahead. Discover what this machine is and what it means for the future!
Let’s get this out of the way: no, humans are not being tossed around like laundry. At Osaka Expo 2025, visitors can see the Future Human Washing Machine at the Osaka Healthcare Pavilion. The machine resembles a large, smooth pod, almost resembling a space capsule. You lie down inside it, close the lid, and let the machine do the work. Soft lighting, music, and visuals work together to create a serene atmosphere, making it feel like a spa.

The idea might sound funny, but its goal is ingenious. It perfectly aligns with the theme of Osaka Expo 2025, which focuses on designing a society centered around human lives. How? It turns bathing into a slow, relaxing experience.
The way it works is so marvelous that a hotel in Osaka has already purchased a unit to offer the service to its guests. It is said that the machine will cost around a whopping ¥60 million (around $318,000), with only 50 units to be made to maintain its rarity.
The secret behind the Future Human Washing Machine is something surprisingly small: bubbles. Developed by Osaka-based company Science Co., Ltd., the machine uses ultra-fine microbubbles to clean the body. These bubbles are much smaller than what you see in a bubble bath. Thanks to their size, they can gently reach the skin’s surface and wash away dirt without harsh scrubbing.

While the user relaxes inside the pod, sensors monitor factors such as heart rate and physical condition. Then, the system responds by adjusting the environment based on how the user appears to be feeling, such as displaying calming images or creating a soothing atmosphere. In doing so, it creates an experience that leaves people clean and refreshed both physically and emotionally!
At the Osaka Expo 2025, this machine is showcased as a possible solution to future challenges. It’s essential for countries like Japan, which have an aging population. With this technology, it is easier to care for the elderly, and it even makes everyday routines, such as bathing, easier and safer for everyone.

Although it may seem cutting-edge, the Future Human Washing Machine has a rich history. The original “human washing machine” was first showcased at Expo ’70, the last time Osaka hosted a World Expo. Back then, it represented how people imagined the future of home life.

There’s a personal story behind the update, too. The president of Science Co., Ltd. saw the original machine as a 10-year-old and never forgot it. Years later, that childhood memory helped inspire this modern version.
The machine at Osaka Expo 2025 builds on that older idea, improving it with today’s technology. Instead of being just a futuristic curiosity, it bridges the gap between Japanese bathing culture, where soaking and relaxation are essential, and modern health monitoring. It shows how old ideas can evolve when technology catches up!
There are many impressive displays at the expo, but this one stands out because it feels personal. Everyone bathes. Everyone understands the need to rest and recharge. That makes the idea easy to imagine, even if the machine itself feels unusual.
People are also curious about what it could be used for beyond expos. Could machines like this help elderly people bathe more safely? Could they support people with disabilities? Maybe they make health tracking less stressful by blending it into daily routines?
The Future Human Washing Machine doesn’t give all the answers, but it gets people thinking and talking! That’s one reason it draws so much attention. It shows that the future isn’t just about faster tech, but also about comfort, care, and quality of life.
The Future Human Washing Machine at Osaka Expo 2025 enables us to think more creatively about our everyday lives. It suggests a future where technology supports wellness quietly, without feeling cold or overwhelming.

Machines like this could inspire new approaches to healthcare, aging, and self-care. Even if most people never own a human washing machine, the ideas behind it, such as personalized experiences, gentle design, and health-focused technology, are likely to influence future products.
In the end, this exhibit reminds us that the future doesn’t always arrive in the form of robots or flying cars. Sometimes, it appears as a more innovative way to take a bath, making it feel a lot closer to home. What do you think about a human washing machine? Would you use it? Let us know in the comments!
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